The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1887-10-28

| AAfilt tue ldlIlOuH H'n VI Uil
| In the dark mines deep were driven
| Down the shafts 10 reach the gold.
And thestOry is far longer
Than the histories have told.
From Bacon down 20 Washington
The generations passed,
/ Great events and moving causes
/ We're In serted order massed:
Berkeley well was nrst confronted,
Better George the King az last
From the times Of that stern ruler
To our own familiar days
Long the pathway we have irodden.
Hard, and devious were its ways
| TIL nj last there came the second
| Mightier Revolutions blaze:
Till at last there broke the tempest
Like a cyclone on the sea.
when the lightnings blazed and dazzed
And the thunders we're set free
And riding on that whirlwind came
Majestic hobert Lee
Who-again ask the question
Who may challenge In debate.
With any show Of inthfulness
cur former social state
Which brought forth more than heroes
In their lives -upremely great
Not Peter the wild Crusader
When bent upon his knee.
Not Arthur and his belted knights
IN the Poets Song could bee
More earnest than those Southern men
Who followed Robert Lee.
They thought that they we're right and thi
Was hammered into those
Who hel that crest all drenched In blood
Where the Bloody Angle rose.
A for oil elsef IL passes By
As the idle wind that blow.
Then stand up. Oh my COuntrymen
And unto God give thanks,
On mountains and on hillsIdes
And hy sloping nj, or banks
Thank God that you were worthy
OF the grand Confederate ranks;
That YOU who came from uplands
And from beside the sea.
Filled with love OF Old Virginia
And the &C. chings Of the free,
May boast in sight ~ all men
That you followed Robert Lee.
Peace has come. God give His blessing
On the fact and on the name
The South speaks no lnyecuye
Aud she writes no word of blame
But we call all men 10 witness
That We stand mp without shame
Nay Send IL forth 70 all the world
That we stand up here with pride.
With love for our living cOmmd-s
And with praise for those who died
And in this manly frame of mind
TIL death we viii abide.
GOD and our COnsCences alone
Give us measures OF right and wrong,
The race may fall unto the swift
Aud the battle 10 the strong.
But the truth will shine I'm history
And blossom into Song.
Human grief full oft by glory
Is assuaged and disappears
When it- requiem swelis with music
Like the shock OF shields and spears
And its passion is too fun Of pride
To leave space for tears.
And hence 20 day. my Countrymen.
We come with undimmed eyes.
ln hon age OF the hero Lee,
The good, the great, the wise,
And at his name our hearts Will leap
TIN his last old soldier dies.
Ask me, if So you please. to paint
stOrmwinds upon the sea;
Tel me 20 weigh great CheOps-
Set volcanic force, free
But bid me not, my COuntrymen,
10 picture Robert Lee
As Saul. bound for Damascus fair,
Was struck blind by sudden light
So my ewes are panied and dazzled
By q radiance pure and white
Shot back by the FURNISHED ara or
OF that glory belted Knight.
His was an the Noman's polish
And sObricty OF grace,
An the Goth's majestic figure
An the Romans noble face.
And DE stood the tall eNemplar
or grand historic race.
Baronial were his acres where
POf0mac's waters run.
High his lineage, and his blazOn
Wa by cunning hcnlds done;
But better still he might have said
OF his works bee was the SON.
Truth walked beside him always
From his chldhoOd's early years.
Honor followed as his shadow,
NalOr lightened al his cares;
And he rOdc-thHt grand NirginlAn-
Last Of all the Cavaliers.
A a soldier we an knew him
Great in action and repose,
saw how his genius kindled
And his mighty spirit rose
When the four quarters Of the globe
EncOmpasscd him with foes.
But be- aud his grew brayer.
A. the danger grew more rife,
AyariciOus they Of glory
But most prodigal Of life.
And the Army of Virginia "
Was the Atlas Of the strife.
As his troubles gathered round him.
Thick as waves that beat the shore
ArRA CURA rode behind him
fnmiue's shadow filled his door,
Still he wrought deeds no mortal man
Had ever wrought before.
~.
Then came the end, my Countrymen.
The .ast thunderbOlts were hurled
Worn out by his own victories
His battle Hays we're furled,
And a history was finished
That has changed the modern world.
As some saint IN the arena
OF a bloody Roman game.
As the prize Of his endeavOr
Put on an immortal frame.
Through long agOnles our Soldier
W on the crown or martial tame.
BUT there came greater glory
10 that man supremacy great
When his iu-t sword he laid aside
Ia peace 20 serve his Statc.l
For in his classic solitude
he rose up and mastered Fate.
lie triumphed and he did not die
No funeral bells are tOlled-
But on that day IN Lexington
Fame came herself 20 hold
His stilrup while he mounted
To ride down the streets Of gold
lie is not dead There Is no death
He only went before.
His journey on when CHkIsT THs LORD
" ide open held the door.
And a calm. celestial peace ID his
Thank God foreyermOre.
Y.
when the eitgy OF Washington
Ia It's bronze was reared on high
Twas mine. with others. now long gone.
Ikaupafh IA -fnrfnN SkN